Preethi Vesak!

Listening to: silence

Vesak. It is a time to remember. A time to reflect. A time to purify one's mind. Not that we shouldn't do this at other times...but today is special.

I am chief of the world,
Eldest am I in the world,
Foremost am I in the world.
This is the last birth.
There is now no more coming to be.

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Thro' many a birth in samsara wandered
Seeking, but not finding, the builder of this house.
Sorrowful is repeated birth.
House builder, thou art seen.
Thou shalt build no house again.
All thy rafters are broken; thy ridgepole is shattered.
The mind attains the unconditioned.
Achieved is the end of craving.

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Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation.

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And as such are remembered, the words of Lord Buddha. It is 2,550 years since the passing of this Great Human Being, and it will serve us well to reflect upon His teachings and nourish our lives.

A peaceful Vesak to you all.

Sabbe sattā bhavantu sukhitattā! - May all beings be happy!

Lazy summer days are for...

Listening to: 'Your Love Is Mine' by Corinne Bailey Rae [-]

...revision, apparently. Nonetheless, summer is here. I don't care what you say about it still being the 1st week of May - my windows are open, and that means it's summer in England. Besides, 26.5°C can't mean anything else now, can it? Reminds me of the TV advert for Ford's Summer of Love campaign...although the Austin Powers look-alike (albeit with better teeth) in the ad wouldn't necessarily be my ideal 'summer fling potential'. Then again, beggars can't be choosers ;-)

Moving on...

Someone, somewhere along the line, upped the ante of these blooming exams. So much for not being stressed. Here I was, just about to get stressed about not being stressed enough...and suddenly I have reason to get stressed! I should be happy, yes? And my doctor...she says my hormones are wonky...who would've thought, eh?

Aargh bloody lawnmower outside my window drowning the honey emanating from my speakers (no, not literally)! I guess the smell of freshly cut grass is a consolation. That reminds me, better check the pollen count. Yay, it's high...bring on the hay fever :-|

Hmm I'm sure there are more things I wanted to say, but they probably all amount to two things:

1. I need amazing grades
2. I want eye candy* (preferably with a triple-digit IQ)
   

And oh yeah, I'm an idealistic pedant. Most of the time.

OK, lunchtime. Adios amigos.

*n.b. use of 'want' instead of 'need' - I'm not that desperate! LOL

Clarification

Listening to: 'Call Me When You Get This' by Corinne Bailey Rae [Corinne Bailey Rae]

For those who are a bit confused as to why the BBC is no longer cool enough to be linked to on this blog *cough cough*...

Recent events in Sri Lanka have been reported on by the BBC news website. It is my view that these reports are biased, and the information they carry is in some cases untrue, and in others, exaggerated. These reports have also omitted certain details which would be considered important. In my opinion, responsible journalism should be impartial and factually accurate. Since the BBC coverage of the situation in Sri Lanka fails to meet either of these criteria, I don't see their journalism as being responsible... And a worldwide news agency that advocates irresponsible journalism is...well, not cool.

I will not discuss the topic addressed in the articles for the reasons I mentioned in my previous post. You are however, invited to Google it...now that is still cool, regardless of what they wanna call it in Chinese!

Hope this clears things up, Anon!

P.S.- I finished Sustainability!!! :D

P.P.S.- Corinne Bailey Rae is awesome...check out her music if you haven't been mesmerised as yet!

P.P.P.S.- I should really stop post-scripting everything.